And the messengers came again, and said, Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;

1 KINGS 20:5KJV
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1 Kings 20:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 20:5 mean?

1 Kings 20:5 reports that Benhadad’s messengers returned to King Ahab of Israel with a message, restating Benhadad’s demand that Ahab must hand over his silver, gold, wives, and children. This verse shows Benhadad repeating and emphasizing his claim over Ahab’s most valuable possessions and family.

In the story, Benhadad, the king of Aram (Syria), is threatening Israel and sending envoys to King Ahab. The messengers (envoys) are relaying Benhadad’s demands for tribute and surrender. The verse highlights the pressure and intimidation Benhadad is using, as he insists on taking not just wealth but also Ahab’s household, which would have been a deeply personal and humiliating demand for any king.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 20:5

  • מַלְאָךְ (mal’akh, H4397) — “messenger”: This word often refers to someone sent with authority to deliver a message. Here, it underscores the official and serious nature of Benhadad’s demands.
  • נָתַן (natan, H5414) — “deliver”: This verb means “to give” or “to hand over.” The use here stresses that Ahab is being told to surrender his valuables and family willingly, not just lose them in battle.
  • כֶּסֶף (kesef, H3701) and זָהָב (zahav, H2091) — “silver” and “gold”: These words highlight that Benhadad is targeting both the wealth and the personal life of Ahab, showing the totality of the demand.

Why 1 Kings 20:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Benhadad’s demands are not just about tribute but about total submission, including Ahab’s family, which would have been a grave insult and threat.
  • The repetition of the demand in the message shows Benhadad’s determination and the seriousness of the threat facing Israel.
  • Understanding this demand helps set the stage for Ahab’s response and the conflict that follows in the chapter, making clear the stakes involved in the confrontation.

Where else these words appear

“Benhadad” Hebrew H1130 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
  • 1 Kings 20:17 And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria.
  • 2 Kings 8:9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?